Level Of Radiation Protection Research Articles

Assessment of radiation protection and awareness level among radiation workers and members of the public in Afghanistan—a pilot study

In this study, the level of radiation protection and awareness among radiation workers and members of the public in Afghanistan is assessed using two different survey mechanisms. The onsite survey conducted by the regulatory authorities covered 472 facilities while the online survey covering 1200 responses was conducted via the Survey Monkey online survey platform. Both the onsite and the online surveys show that more than 70% of radiation workers have insufficient knowledge of radiation safety and protection rules and regulations while more than 70% of the public just heard about radiation from one source or another. More than 50% of those members of the public, who have been through some sort of medical imaging using radiation were not given any instruction about the radiation hazards. The study is concluded with recommendations to the authorities for raising the knowledge of the radiation workers and general public awareness through launching regular radiation safety and protection training, TV spots and other means of mass media.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of nuclear medicine staff towards radiation protection

Introduction: Ionizing radiation in medical imaging is one of the dominant sources of exposure, and correct knowledge of radiation protection, affects staff safety behaviors during procedures. This study aimed to assess the radiation protection Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) amongst nuclear medicine centers' staff in Iran. Methods: To evaluate the level of radiation protection KAP, a validated questionnaire was distributed between 243 participants considering demographic characteristics in different geographical regions in Iran from 2014 to 2015. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the level of nuclear medicine staff KAP radiation protection with gender (p<0.05), practice age KAP level and radiation protection (p<0.05) among nuclear medicine staff with different working regions and healthcare market. There is no significant connection between educational age and KAP level of radiation protection of nuclear medicine department staff (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings have shown that radiation protection KAP level of nuclear medicine staff was inadequate in some regions. This might be due to the lack of continuous training and absence of adequate safety knowledge about ionizing radiation. It seems that awareness about radiation protection rules and regulations, along with continuous training and preparations has a direct effect on radiation practice leading to enhanced KAP of staff in nuclear medicine centers.

Lightweight Lead Aprons: The Emperor's New Clothes in the Angiography Suite?

The aim was to determine whether lead containing and lead free composite garments in current use provide the level of radiation protection stated by manufacturers. Fifteen garments, produced by five different manufacturers using eight different composites, were randomly selected for testing from four hospitals in South Australia. Labelling, material composition, design, and condition of the garments were assessed by direct garment examination, garment label, and product information. Garment attenuation was tested in a simulated angiography suite using a Siemens Ysio Max digital Xray machine. The front and back panels of each garment were tested under direct beam at 100 kVp. A Perspex phantom was used to simulate the density and scatter properties of the human abdomen. The front panels of each garment were tested under scattered radiation at Xray tube voltages of 50 and 70 kVp. Forty-seven per cent of front panels and 90% of back panels provided lower lead equivalence than claimed by the manufacturer. Twenty per cent of front panels and 62% of back panels tested did not meet the minimum International Electrotechnical Commission requirements for angiographic use. There was a 38 fold difference in front panel performance of garments to scatter radiation, which were all labelled 0.5mm lead equivalence. 56% of garments had differences in scatter transmission of at least 49% when tested at 50 and 70 kVp. The results show that lead containing and lead free composite garments probably provide less radiation protection than manufacturer stated lead equivalence. The demonstrated wide variations in attenuation of scatter radiation are greater than previously reported. It was found that most garments failed to comply with labelling standards. The study highlights challenges in radiation shielding and the need to identify composites that consistently provide better attenuation per unit weight than lead.

Development and validation of a psychometric scale for assessing healthcare professionals' knowledge in radiation protection

IntroductionHealthcare professionals must sufficiently understand ionising radiation and the associated protection measures to avoid unnecessarily exposing patients and staff to ionising radiation. Hence, a proper safety culture is important to lowering health risks. The development and establishment of an instrument that can indicate healthcare professionals' understanding/knowledge of radiation protection concepts can greatly contribute to a good safety culture.The purpose of the present study was to develop and psychometrically test the Healthcare Professional Knowledge of Radiation Protection (HPKRP) self-evaluation scale, which was designed to measure the knowledge level of radiation protection by healthcare professionals working with ionising radiation in a clinical environment. MethodsThe presented research employed a cross-sectional study design. Data were collected from eight Finnish hospitals in 2017. A total of 252 eligible nurses responded to the newly developed HPKRP scale. The face and content validity were tested with the Content Validity Index (CVI). Explorative factor analysis was used to test construct validity, whereas reliability was tested with Cronbach's alpha. ResultsOverall S-CVI for the HPKRP scale was 0.83. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor model for the HcPCRP scale containing 33 items. The first factor was defined by Radiation physics and principles of radiation usage, the second factor by Radiation protection, and the third factor by Guidelines of safe ionising radiation usage. These three factors explained 72% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the scale ranged from 0.93 to 0.96. ConclusionThe results provide strong evidence for the validity and reliability of the HPKRP scale. Additionally, educators can use the scale to evaluate healthcare students' understanding in radiation safety before and after education.

Проблема создания эффективной техники с противорадиационной защитой оператора и возможные научно-практические пути ее решения

Issues related to the radiation accident remedial actions and working with radioactive materials are becoming increasingly important. The paper shows the main features and disadvantages of the previously applied approaches to solving the problem of creating effective machines for radioactive contaminated areas, as well as a number of basic scientific and practical proposals for possible solutions to this problem, including early-stage design decisions. Machines created for operation on contaminated sites are usually based on existing ones, which previously were considered generally as platforms for installing cabins with the highest possible level of radiation protection. This does not guarantee their maximum application efficiency. Improving the efficiency of such machines, based on the development of any of its parameters (level of radiation protection, technical performance, traction, power, speed, load capacity, etc.), is irrational. Previously used methods of calculation and design of machines with protection from gamma radiation are weakly interdependent and loosely interrelated and are not combined into the “anti-radiation protection – machine (performance and cost) – man” integrated system. We propose to consider radiation protection as a subsystem of a machine as a whole. This significantly changes the requirements for a machine, its performance and design and makes some scientific results and general theoretical recommendations not applicable to such machines. Moreover, the higher the level and weight of radiation protection is, the greater is its impact on the base chassis and its characteristics. The complex approach presented in the paper allows for comprehensive study of the problem of machine development for contaminated area work and substantiation of reasonable parameters of radiation protection for an operator considering the relationship of protection with other technical parameters of machines. The results of the research make it possible to calculate the values of the main parameters of the machines for working in radioactive contaminated area at the stage of pre-design and design, to improve the efficiency of the machine, and to protect the operator from radiation. This reduces the time and material costs of conducting research and development works to create such machines. The processes of launching into manufacture, development of new machines, and improvement of existing ones with anti-radiation protection are accelerated.

Radiation Protection Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) in Interventional Radiology.

Due to increasing cardiac disease and its mortality rate, the frequency of cardiac imaging has grown and, as a result, interventional cardiologists potentially receive high radiation doses in cardiac examinations. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level of radiation protection (RP) among interventional radiology staff in Iranian health care centers across the country. We used a validated questionnaire survey consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions to perform a cross-sectional study. Participants were healthcare personnel working professionally with radiation at different levels (i.e., secretary, radiology technologists, nurse, and physician). The questionnaire was divided into three sections to assess KAP regarding RP. Significant differences exist in RP KAP mean scores based on educational age (p < 0.050). There was no significant difference in RP KAP mean scores when looking at sex, practice age, and hospital type (p > 0.050). We found a significant difference between RP KAP mean scores and different regions (p < 0.050). Educational and practice age, sex, type of hospital, and geographical region affect he KAP of interventional radiology staff regarding RP. Since many of the subjective radiation harms for both medical team and patients, this can be easily controlled and prevented; a checkup for personnel of interventional radiology departments, considering samples from different parts of the country with different levels of education, continuous training, and practical courses may help map the status of KAP. The results of this study may also help authorized health physics officers design strategic plans to enhance the quality of such services in radiation departments.

Les changements en radiologie dentaire dès le 1er janvier 2018

New regulations for dental and maxillofacial radiology were introduced in Switzerland. The rules have to be followed immediately (date of entry was January, 1, 2018) without any transitional period. However, everything will be judged with a sense of proportion. The main item is a new regulation for continuing education which requires every dentist (and depending of the exact operational processes also his or her dental assistants) to participate in up to 6 hours of radiology-specific education every five years. Some other minor adjustments were also made. After all the rules for dental radiology become a little bit more complex. However, this is the (small) price to pay in order to achieve a proper level of radiation protection in daily dental practise.

The new (2018) rules for dental radiology in Switzerland - A statement of the Swiss Association of Dento-maxillofacial Radiology

New regulations for dental and maxillofacial radiology were introduced in Switzerland. The rules have to be followed immediately (date of entry was January, 1, 2018) without any tran-sitional period. However, everything will be judged with a sense of proportion.The main item is a new regulation for con-tinuing education which requires every dentist (and depending of the exact operational pro-cesses also his or her dental assistants) to participate in up to 6 hours of radiology-specific education every five years. Some other minor adjustments were also made. After all the rules for dental radiology become a little bit more complex. However, this is the (small) price to pay in order to achieve a proper level of radia-tion protection in daily dental practice.

Awareness Level of Radiation Protection among Dental Students

Dental radiographs have always been the mainstay of the diagnosis of oral diseases. Even if the radiation hazard posed by the dental radiographs is low but still accumulation of such low level radiation in human body over a time period can pose a threat to the overall health of the individual. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of dental students about radiation protection and hazards. The present cross sectional study was conducted by enrolling one hundred 4th year dental students from the two teaching hospitals in Chitwan district of Nepal. A questionnaire consisting of a total of 20 questions was distributed and each question was allocated 0.5 marks for correct response whereas no deduction for wrong answer. The results of the present study depicted that 85 (85%) of the total students enrolled in the study had "good" knowledge about the radiation physics, protection and hazards whereas only 15 (15%) of them had "poor" knowledge. The study concluded that teachers should involve in imparting more and more knowledge as well as training about the topic and dental curriculum should be altered so as to train the budding dentists about all aspects of radiation.

Introduction of optically stimulated luminescence based postal audits for radiation protection level dosimetry at Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratories

The IAEA has introduced an Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimetry (OSLD) system to conduct postal audits to Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDLs) for radiation protection level. The audit independently checks 137Cs radiation protection air kerma calibrations provided by the SSLDs. The OSLD system has replaced the previously used TLD based audit for radiation protection.The OSLD system used in the audit consists of nanoDot dosimeters and MicroSTARii reader (Landauer, IL, USA). Prior to introducing the audit service, an extensive commissioning process quantified the dosimeter reading reproducibility, signal depletion and fading, linearity of response to air kerma, individual sensitivities of OSLDs and optical annealing procedure for the dosimeters. In an audit run, the participating SSLDs are supplied with two dosimeter sets consisting of two lightweight holders each preloaded with two OSLDs. The participants are asked to irradiate them with 5 mGy air kerma free in air, following their standard laboratory procedures. The OSLDs returned to the IAEA are evaluated by the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory.The OSLDs demonstrated acceptable reading reproducibility of 1.75% and a signal depletion of 0.25% per readout. The OSLDs signal fading resulted in a signal decrease of 2.1% in the period from eight days to over 160 days post irradiation. A relative expanded (k = 2) uncertainty of the OSLD determined air kerma was estimated to 3.08%. In two audit runs in 2015–2016, 29 SSDLs participated. The average ratio of the air kerma measured by the IAEA to the air kerma stated by the SSDL was 0.998 and the standard deviation of the distribution of results was 1.8%. All participants except one had results within the acceptance limits of ±7%. One laboratory with the result outside the acceptance limit was invited to a follow-up procedure with the aim to resolve the discrepancy.

THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS RADON DANGER MAP

Radon is the major contributor to the background exposure of the population. In the world practice, the radon risk or radon potential mapping are used for the radon dose assessment. The aim of this work was a radon danger mapping of the Republic of Belarus to assess the radiation situation and determine the radon hazard critical areas. Materials and methods: The mapping is based on measured values of radon volume activity in the living rooms of different buildings on the territory of the six regions of the Republic of Belarus. We have performed more than 4000 measurements. Integral track radon radiometers based on the polymer Kodak LR-115 film were used to evaluate radon volume activity. Exposure time ranged from 90 to 120 days. The cartogram was built with using the MAPINFO software package. Results: The low levels of radon concentrations were determined in the Brest and Gomel regions, as well as in the southern districts of Minsk and south-western districts of the Mogilev region. The high levels radon concentrations were determined in some districts of the Vitebsk and Grodno regions, as well as in the north-eastern districts of the Mogilev region. About 2–5 times nonuniformity of radon distribution in settlements of the Republic was observed. The radon hazard critical areas with radon concentrations in the range of 200–400 Bq/m3 were found in some districts of the Vitebsk, Grodno and Mogilev regions. Conclusions: The radon risk map of the Republic of Belarus gives the possibility to estimate the existing radiation risk. Taking into account the low efficiency of countermeasures long after the Chernobyl accident, it is necessary to increase the level of radiation protection through the radon mitigation activities or to change the radon normative documents.

Comparative studies of radiation-protection fillers for composite materials based on fosfogipsum binder

The results of comparative experimental studies of the effect of various radiation-protection (RP) fillers for composite materials based on phosphogypsum binder on their RP properties were considered. The regularities of the influence of the parameters of X-ray protection structures, such as thickness, RP filler concentration, composite material density and matrix, etc. on the level of radiation protection of personnel taking into account the properties of phosphogypsum-based composite materials were established and, thus, creation technology parameters and efficiency of such structures were substantiated. The high efficiency of the rare earth elements (REE) as RP fillers for the phosphogypsum binder at a concentration of 30% by weight is associated with high RP properties at significantly lower cost compared to other investigated RP fillers. Comparative experimental studies have convincingly shown that REE are technologically advanced and the most efficient RP filler for gypsum binder, which offers the prospect of creating X-ray protection means (including collective) of a new technological level.

Radiation Protection in Radiology Departments of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospitals, Ahvaz, Iran, 2015

Background: Application of ionizing radiation in many fields especially in medicine is growing, and can cause adverse health effects. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the radiation protection principles in radiology departments, based on national standards. Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted in all radiology departments of the teaching hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran, and their radiation protection status was investigated using Audit technique. For this purpose Audit checklist was prepared and essential information gathered by observation, interview with radiology department managers, and documentary surveying. At the end, standard situations were classified in three levels: poor ( ˂ 50%), medium (50 - 75%), and good (75 - 100%). Results: The mean of radiation protection in the studied radiology departments was 70.53%. The highest and lowest levels of radiation protection were in quality control and suitable ventilation, respectively. Radiation protection was evaluated as medium in 71.4% and good in 28.6% of the studied radiology departments. Conclusions: The state of observed radiation protection principles was relatively in the weak level in the studied radiology departments especially in facilities such as ventilation system, radiography entrance, and darkroom situation. More important reason was usage changing of sections as radiology billet from related organizations.

Inspection of cardiology departments in Norway: are they making it great in radiation protection?

Staff involved in interventional cardiology receive the highest occupational doses in Norway, and skin burns of patients have been reported. To identify the level of radiation protection (RP) for patients and staff, and compliance with the RP regulation, the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority carried out inspections. The inspections were conducted (2013-14) as quality system reviews, based on document reviews, interviews, on-site inspections and observations of interventional procedures. The inspections revealed that most of the hospitals had non-compliances according to the RP regulation. Most deviations were associated with education in RP and follow-up of patients who had received high radiation doses. Lack of systematic optimisation of procedures and estimation of eye lens doses to evaluate the risk for cataracts were also common. Inspections turned out to increase the awareness of RP in cardiology and are identified as an effective tool for improving RP.

Direct comparison of extrapolation chamber measurements of the absorbed dose rate for beta radiation between PTB (Germany) and VNIIM (Russia)

An intercomparison of the absorbed dose rate in tissue, , at radiation protection levels for beta dosimetry was performed between two national metrology institutes, the D I Mendeleyev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM) in St Petersburg (Russia) and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig (Germany), from 2009 to 2010. For this comparison, radiation sources of both institutes were calibrated using the primary standard measuring devices (extrapolation chambers) of both institutes, i.e. no transfer instrument was used as both primary standards were directly compared. The values of the absorbed dose rates in tissue agree within 1.2% for two different 90Sr/90Y sources, within 1.0% for one 85Kr source and within 1.5% and 4.2% for two different 147Pm sources. All these deviations are within 1 to 2 times the corresponding standard deviations.

Status of radiation protection in various interventional cardiology procedures in the Asia Pacific region

ObjectiveIncreasing use of interventional procedures in cardiology with unknown levels of radiation protection in many countries of Asia-Pacific region necessitates the need for status assessment. The study was part of...

The perspectives of users and developers in designing and developing O-arm imaging system

A questionnaire survey was performed to investigate the different knowledge of radiation exposure, awareness and expectation for O-arm imaging system between the users (orthopaedic surgeons) and the developers (engineers). A total of 93 orthopaedic surgeons and 19 engineers participated and answered the questionnaire consisting of 18 items designed for this study. The items were focused on knowlege, awareness, and expectation. Orthopaedic surgeons had higher scores for items of knowledge domains regarding radiation exposure than the engineers while the engineers were more sensitive to radiation hazards and adopted higher levels of radiation protection than orthopaedic surgeons in the awareness domain. Most engineers and orthopaedic surgeons answered that the requirements of diagnostic and intraoperative imaging systems differ. Image resolution, a low radiation exposure, and the time required for image acquisition was the top three requirements of O-arm selected by engineers. On the other hand, the top three requirements according to orthopaedic surgeons were; image resolution, expediency, and spatial occupancy. User requirements need to be reflected in developing O-arm along with basic requirements such as image resolution and low radiation exposure.

ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

Global concerns over energy supply and climate change have given rise to an increase in uranium prospecting, mining and extraction. The changing world economy is spreading the use of advanced nuclear and radiation-related technologies to many parts of the world, giving rise to global initiatives on nuclear energy and operation of nuclear fuel cycle facilities. The emerging global nuclear safety regime promotes and encourages high standards of radiation safety worldwide. These developments call for increasing capacity and capabilities in radiation protection expertise and continue to present both challenges and opportunities to the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA), an association of 46 societies representing 58 countries with an individual membership of approximately 17,000. IRPA's objectives include: (1) assisting the development of competent radiation protection programs; (2) fostering the exchange of scientific and technical information through its international and regional congresses; (3) promoting the scientific and professional recognition of the radiation protection expert; and (4) supporting continuing education programs at each IRPA congress. IRPA has adopted a Code of Ethics and Guiding Principles for the Conduct of Stakeholder Engagement. Recently work began to develop guidance for maintaining and improving current levels of radiation protection and transferring this culture to future radiation protection professionals. These IRPA projects are developed through the Associate Society Forum discussions that are held at each IRPA international and regional congress. Finally, IRPA maintains a close working relationship with various international organizations and is also represented on the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety.

Radiation Exposure to Patients During Interventional Procedures in 20 Countries: Initial IAEA Project Results

The purpose of our study was to investigate the level of radiation protection of patients and staff during interventional procedures in 20 countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe. In a multinational prospective study, information on radiation protection tools, peak skin dose (PSD), and kerma-area product (KAP) was provided by 55 hospitals in 20 mainly developing countries (nine mostly in Eastern Europe, five in Africa, and six in Asia). Nearly 40% of the interventional rooms had an annual workload of more than 2,000 patients. It is remarkable that the workload of pediatric interventional procedures can reach the levels of adult procedures even in developing countries. About 30% of participating countries have shown a 100% increase in workload in 3 years. Lead aprons are used in all participating rooms. Even though KAP was available in almost half of the facilities, none had experience in its use. One hundred of 505 patients monitored for PSD (20%) were above the 2-Gy threshold for deterministic effects. Interventional procedures are increasing in developing countries, not only for adults but also for pediatric patients. The situation with respect to staff protection is considered generally acceptable, but this is not the case for patient protection. Many patients exceeded the dose threshold for erythema. A substantial number (62%) of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures performed in developing countries in this study are above the currently known dose reference level and thus could be optimized. Therefore, this study has significance in introducing the concept of patient dose estimation and dose management.

A step function model to evaluate the real monetary value of man-sievert with real GDP

For use in a cost–benefit analysis to establish optimum levels of radiation protection in Korea under the ALARA principle, we introduce a discrete step function model to evaluate man-sievert monetary value in the real economic value. The model formula, which is unique and country-specific, is composed of real GDP, the nominal risk coefficient for cancer and hereditary effects, the aversion factor against radiation exposure, and average life expectancy. Unlike previous researches on alpha-value assessment, we show different alpha values in the real term, differentiated with respect to the range of individual doses, which would be more realistic and informative for application to the radiation protection practices. GDP deflators of economy can reflect the society's situations. Finally, we suggest that the Korean model can be generalized simply to other countries without normalizing any country-specific factors.